SYTYCD Top 20

It was the top 20’s first performance together on Wednesday and it was pretty good but I wasn’t overall impressed. The dancers were chosen at random and they picked a style of dance out of a hat. The judges were, of course, Nigel, Mary, and Adam Shankman. There were all different styles of dances performed last night from bollywood to the foxtrot. My personal favorite dancer on the show would of course have to be the “naughty ballerina” Melissa, I have to support ballet. The best performance would have to be the bollywood one. It was different, quick, and hard but they nailed it with such ease. The most intriguing and memorable, in my opinion, would have to be the crash test dummies jazz routine. It was very unique and Nigel was right people will talk about that routine. Each performance was good, some better than others, but I’m giving it the benefit of the doubt that it was the first night and they are just getting into the swing of things. I can’t wait for things to really start to heat up and get interesting.

The first couples up were Jeanine Mason & Phillip Chbeeb dancing hip-hop. All three judges agreed that they did a good job. Next up was Asuka Kondoh & Vitolio Jeune whose style of dance was Broadway. The judges thought they could have done better saying that they played it safe but it was danced well. Then it was Karla Garcia & Jonathan Plateros turn. They danced the cha-cha very well according to the judges who thought they did amazing. Randi Evans & Evan Kasprzak did a jazz dance. The judges loved them and thought it was fantastic and smoldering. Paris Torres & Tony Bellissimo also did hip-hop which they didn’t execute very well. All of the judges agreed that it was just good and not memorable. Caitlyn Kinney & Jason Glover did a fantastic bollywood number. They rocked it and the judge’s review was that it was strong and beautiful. Then it was Janette Manrara & Brandon Bryant’s turn to show off their moves in the foxtrot. They judges liked it calling it lovely and effortless but there was room for improvement. Another jazz dance was performed by Ashley Valerio & Kupono Aweau. The judges said it was different but marvelous. Melissa Sandvig (my favorite) & Ade Obayomi did a contemporary dance. The judges commented on their performance saying it was moving and it flowed well. Last but certainly not least, Kayla Rodomski & Max Kapitannikov danced the samba. They were brilliant and terrific and Mary even put them on the hot tamale train.

What Is Ballet?

What is ballet?

Ballet is grace, precision, and discipline.

It's the soft pink ribbon wrapped around your ankle.

It's the way the tutu flows with your every move.

Ballet is the arch of your foot and the elegance of your arms.

What is ballet?

Ballet is art.

It's jumping so high that you can touch the stars.

It's the endless pirouettes, plies, and tour jetes.

Ballet is standing atop satin toes.

What is ballet?

Ballet is strength and power.

It's hair pulled tightly back into a bun.

It's the baby's breath in a bouquet of roses.

Ballet is expression and love.

What is ballet?

Ballet is the grace of an angel, the strength of a bull, and the discipline of a soldier.

What is ballet?

In The Wings

I just finished reading the book, In the Wings behind the Scenes at the New York City Ballet by Kyle Froman, and it was wonderful. It really brought me back to when I was a dancer and I could relate to everything he was saying. It had me reminiscing on the long and grueling practices, the pain, fatigue, and injuries, and the joy and excitement of recitals. I felt as though I was living my life as a ballerina all over again. This book sums up a day in the life of a dancer; “These are the world’s finest dancers, and this is a chronicle of their struggles for perfection, and sometimes their struggles just to make it through the season able to walk” (Froman 1).

It starts off at 10:15am explaining a dancers daily routine before class begins and how they warm-up before warm-up. The dancers prepare their Pointe shoes and start their barre exercises. Everyone is rehearsing for their big show. It’s now 11:30am; he talks about how dancers have a physically demanding schedule and the importance of maintenance for their bodies. There is every kind of machine and therapist under the sun to help heal them from their toes to their hands. At 2:15pm the rehearsals become more demanding and nerve-racking. There are several run-throughs that help perfect the dance. “For dancers, there is nothing so transporting as hearing the orchestra for the first time and feeling the stage lights electrifying the stage. The overwhelming buzz we feel when everything finally comes together makes the tedious rehearsals before worth it” (Froman 57). 6:15pm superstition leads the way as each dancer performs their ritual before the show. The chaos behind the scenes is filled with excitement and anxiety as everyone scrambles to get ready. They prepare themselves and their shoes. It’s Showtime! “For all the work dancers do during the day, the reason we do it is that short time onstage” (Froman 95). As that curtain rises there is an unimaginable feeling that goes through each dancer. When the light hits their eyes the audience turns black and if feels as though you are dancing for yourself. As the music starts the dancers start the dance. The dancers feel and move as one. The show is tiring and seems never-ending but it is all worth it in the end.

The Best Living Male Ballet Dancer

Does the name Mikhail “Misha” Baryshnikov ring a bell? Well, what if I told you he starred in the last season of Sex and the City? Ding, Ding, Ding, yes he was Carrie’s boyfriend better known as “the Russian.” I bet you didn’t know he is a famous Russian ballet dancer. He was born in 1948; twelve years later in the 60’s he began to study ballet. After only four years of training he was winning honors and leading roles. Baryshnikov danced for the New York City Ballet in 1978 and continued to get the leading roles. Two years later he became a director of the American Ballet Theater.

His production of the Nutcracker was aired by CBS in 1977, since it is the most popular creation. To this day it is the most popular and sought after performance. He received many awards and nominations throughout his career. Baryshnikov was in many films such as The Turning Point, White Nights, and Sex and the City, even though, he’s divorced, he has three children with a former partner and ballerina.